Overview
Background
Kieren McCosker has expertise in tropical beef production. Kieren completed an Agriculture Science - Animal Science degree (University of Queensland) and later a PhD (School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland) deteriming the factors associated with reproductive performance in northern Australia beef cows, otherwise known as the Cash Cow project while working in the Agriculture Division of the Northern Territory Government's Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade. In 2021, Kieren commenced working with the Centre of Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture, Food and Innovation and comes with approximately 20 years of experience investigating production issues across many facets of the northern beef production system and south-east Asia. Some of his current projects examine the impact of shade and paddock infrastructure on calf mortality, and utilising remote technologies to remotely detect key production events, such as calving and associated maternal behaviours.
Availability
- Dr Kieren McCosker is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Agricultural Science, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Member, Australian Association of Animal Sciences, Australian Association of Animal Sciences
Works
Search Professor Kieren McCosker’s works on UQ eSpace
2016
Conference Publication
No production response of injectable trace minerals in young cattle grazing pasture based systems in the Northern Territory
McCosker, K. D. , Cowley, T. and Lemcke, B. (2016). No production response of injectable trace minerals in young cattle grazing pasture based systems in the Northern Territory. 31st Biennial Conference of the Australian Society of Animal Production., Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5–7 July 2016. Adelaide, SA, Australia:
2014
Conference Publication
Live weight production in extensively-managed beef breeding herds
Fordyce, Geoffry, McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren and Smith, David (2014). Live weight production in extensively-managed beef breeding herds. 28th World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, QLD Australia, 27 July - 1 August 2014. Eight Mile Plains, QLD Australia: Australian Veterinary Association.
2014
Conference Publication
Factors affecting the efficiency with which beef cows become pregnant after calving in Northern Australia
McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, Dave, Perkins, Nigel, O’Rourke, Peter, Barnes, Tamsin, Marquart, Louise, Menzies, Don, Newsome, Tom, Joyner, Di, Phillips, Nancy, Burns, Brian, Morton, John and Jephcott, Sandi (2014). Factors affecting the efficiency with which beef cows become pregnant after calving in Northern Australia. 28th World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, Australia, 27 July-1 August 2014. Eight Mile Plains, Qld. Australian: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.
2014
Conference Publication
Foetal and calf loss in extensively managed beef cattle
Fordyce, Geoffry, McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren and Burns, Brian (2014). Foetal and calf loss in extensively managed beef cattle. 28th World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, Australia, 27 July-1 August 2014. Eight Mile Plains, Qld. Australian: Australian Veterinary Association.
2014
Conference Publication
Factors affecting the efficiency with which beef cows become pregnant after calving in Northern Australia
McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, Dave, Perkins, Nigel, O'Rourke, Peter, Barnes, Tamsin, Marquart, Louise, Menzies, Don, Newsome, Tom, Joyner, Di, Phillips, Nancy, Burns, Brian, Morton, John and Jephcott, Sandi (2014). Factors affecting the efficiency with which beef cows become pregnant after calving in Northern Australia. 28th World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 27 July - 1 August 2014.
2014
Conference Publication
Reproductive wastage in extensively-managed beef cattle
Fordyce, Geoffry, McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren and Burns, Brian (2014). Reproductive wastage in extensively-managed beef cattle. WBC 2014: XXVIII World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, QLD Australia, 27 July-1 August 2014. Saint Leonards, NSW Australia: Australian Veterinary Association.
2014
Other Outputs
Northern Australian beef fertility project: CashCow
McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, Dave, O'Rourke, Peter, Perkins, Nigel, Barnes, Tamsin, Marquart, Louise, Morton, John, Newsome, Tom, Menzies, Don, Burns, Brian and Jephcott, Sandi (2014). Northern Australian beef fertility project: CashCow. Final Report North Sydney, NSW, Australia: Meat and Livestock Australia.
2013
Conference Publication
The effect of birth weight and month of birth on pre-weaning growth of calves on the Barkly Tableland, NT
Schatz, Tim, McCosker, Kieren, McGlynn, Ben and Cameron, Max (2013). The effect of birth weight and month of birth on pre-weaning growth of calves on the Barkly Tableland, NT. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Cairns, QLD Australia, 12-15 August 2013. Gympie, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.
2013
Conference Publication
Insights from Cash Cow
McGowan, Michael R., McCosker, Kieren D., Fordyce, Geoff, Smith, David, Perkins, Nigel, O'Rourke, Peter K., Barnes, Tamsin, Marquart, Louise, Menzies, Don, Newsome, Tom, Joyner, Di, Phillips, Nancy, Burns, Brian M., Morton, John M. and Jephcott, Sandi (2013). Insights from Cash Cow. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Cairns, QLD Australia, 12-15 August 2013. Gympie, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.
2013
Journal Article
Evaluation of the impacts of spaying by either the dropped ovary technique or ovariectomy via flank laparotomy on the welfare of Bos indicus beef heifers and cows
Petherick, J. C., McCosker, K., Mayer, D. G., Letchford, P. and McGowan, M. (2013). Evaluation of the impacts of spaying by either the dropped ovary technique or ovariectomy via flank laparotomy on the welfare of Bos indicus beef heifers and cows. Journal of Animal Science, 91 (1), 382-394. doi: 10.2527/jas.2012-5164
2013
Conference Publication
Performance and production of North Australian beef breeding herds - findings from The Cash Cow Project
Fordyce, Geoffry, McCosker, Kieren, Smith, Dave, O'Rourke, Peter, Perkins, Nigel and McGowan, Michael (2013). Performance and production of North Australian beef breeding herds - findings from The Cash Cow Project. Australian Cattle Veterinarians 2013 Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 25-28 June 2013. Eight Mile Plains, QLD Australia: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.
2013
Journal Article
Liveweight prediction from hip height, condition score, fetal age and breed in tropical female cattle
Fordyce, Geoffry, Anderson, Angela, McCosker, Kieren, Williams, Paul J., Holroyd, Richard G., Corbet, Nick J. and Sullivan, Michael S. (2013). Liveweight prediction from hip height, condition score, fetal age and breed in tropical female cattle. Animal Production Science, 53 (4), 275-282. doi: 10.1071/AN12253
2013
Conference Publication
Advances in reproductive management of cow-calf nutrition in times of crises
Fordyce, G., McCosker, K. D. and McGowan, M. R. (2013). Advances in reproductive management of cow-calf nutrition in times of crises. VIII Jornado NESPRO: International Symposium on Beef Cattle Production Systems, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 24-26 September, 2013.
2013
Conference Publication
Change in liveweight of non-pregnant, mature Bos indicus cows of different lactational status over the dry season
Dollemore, W., Quigley, S. P., Poppi, D. P. and McCosker, K. (2013). Change in liveweight of non-pregnant, mature Bos indicus cows of different lactational status over the dry season. Northern Beef Research Update Conference 2013, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 12-15 August, 2013.
2013
Conference Publication
Factors affecting performance of beef breeding herds: findings from the Cash Cow project
McGowan, Michael R., McCosker, K. D., Fordyce, G., Smith, D. R., Perkins, N. R., O'Rourke, P. K., Barnes, T., Marquart, L., Menzies, D., Newsome, T., Joyner, D., Phillips, N., Burns, B. M., Morton, J. M. and Jephcott, J. (2013). Factors affecting performance of beef breeding herds: findings from the Cash Cow project. ACV 2013: Australian Cattle Veterinarians 2013 Conference, Darwin, NT, Australia, 26-28 June 2013. Eight Mile Plains, QLD, Australia: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.
2012
Conference Publication
Timing of first pregnancy influenced the cummulative productivity of commercial beef heifers in north-west Australia
McCosker, K. D., O'Rourke, P. K., McGown, P. and Schatz, T. J. (2012). Timing of first pregnancy influenced the cummulative productivity of commercial beef heifers in north-west Australia. Conference of the Australian Society of Animal Production, Christchurch, New Zealand, 2-5 July 2012.
2011
Conference Publication
Productivity consequences of incorporating 25% later maturing genes into a Brahman herd in the Victoria River District
Dollemore, Whitney and McCosker, Kieren D. (2011). Productivity consequences of incorporating 25% later maturing genes into a Brahman herd in the Victoria River District. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 3-4 August 2011. Brisbane, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.
2011
Conference Publication
Effect of early-processing on the growth and survival of NT weaner cattle
McCosker, K. D. and Schatz, T. J. (2011). Effect of early-processing on the growth and survival of NT weaner cattle. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 3-4 August 2011. Park Ridge , QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.
2011
Conference Publication
Processing calves prior to weaning on a Sturt Plateau (NT) cattle property
Schatz, T. J. and McCosker, K. D. (2011). Processing calves prior to weaning on a Sturt Plateau (NT) cattle property. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 3-4 August 2011. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.
2011
Conference Publication
Survey of selected north Australian beef breeding herds. 2. Diet quality
Smith, David, McCosker, Kieren, Joyner, Di and McGowan, Michael (2011). Survey of selected north Australian beef breeding herds. 2. Diet quality. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 3-4 August 2011. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Kieren McCosker is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing Dairy Pasture Management: Evaluating Warm Season Perennial Species and Grazing Practices on Milk Production and Composition of Lactating Cows
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shane Campbell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reducing methane emissions and improving profitability in Northern Australian beef
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ben Hayes
-
Doctor Philosophy
Effect of Analgesia and Haemostasis on Beef Calves during dehorning in Northern Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alan Tilbrook
-
Doctor Philosophy
Integrating conservation with production in Queensland grazing landscapes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Martine Maron
-
Master Philosophy
The investigation of the use of odour-detection dogs for non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis in cattle
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andres Gambini, Associate Professor Gry Boe-Hansen
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding body temperature regulation in grazing cattle and the effects on production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Gaughan, Dr Angela Lees
Completed supervision
-
2025
Master Philosophy
Ability of on-animal sensors to estimate individual intake of supplements in beef cattle
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sarah Meale, Associate Professor Luis Prada e Silva
Media
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